IS it still regarded as the ‘safest car in Africa?’
In 2021 Mahindra South Africa submitted their own locally homologated entry level XUV300 and it received the nod of Africa’s safest car.
Launched in May 2019 the XUV300 received a five-star rating as the safest car ever tested by the Global New Car Assessment Programme (GNCAP) in 2020.
Well, we took the opportunity to test that fact by conducting a review on the Mahindra XUV300.
During the test, although this time no long distance assignments landed on my desk, one could easily point out the XUV300 is fitted with two airbags, electronic stability control with emergency brakeforce distribution, disk brakes all round, ISOFIX seat mounts, speed sensitive door locks, an impact sensing unlock function, collapsible steering column and pre-tensioners and load limiters on the front seatbelts.
Aha, this confirms its ‘safety car’ nod.
With fuel hike recently, the XUV300 should certainly be on your list especially with the interior improvements and most definitely because of the safety features it comes with.
The interior has no major changes to the 2022 version having uploaded with new W4 SE 16-inch alloys with black and silver detailing.
It has black interior a switch from beige; that gives it a more ‘upmarket’ feel and spacious for other passengers, especially those with bigger figures.
Another eye catch is the new 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android compatible that replaces the previous seven inch screen.
Yes, hard plastic can be noticed as well, but the cabin is pleasant, as pointed out by my colleague who busy with her usual interrogation and inspection.
It boast 1.2-litre turbo petrol that delivers 81kW and 200Nm torque, due to its thanks to its six-speed manual transmission that drives the front wheels.
It was easy to manouvere the gear-changes thanks, to its low down torque, as traffic en-route Mogale City to cover the zama zama’s illegal mines story days after, proved to be a headache.
I concede that under hard braking and sharp corners or hairpin turns, it does stand its ground but be warned of crosswinds that proved a serious test.
Yes, it does tick all the boxes.
The W4 models come with a five year/150 000km warranty and a three year 50 000km service plan while the rest of the range has the same warranty and a five year/90 000km service.
Various prices:
W4 petrol: R234 999
W4 petrol SE R244 999
W6 petrol: R261 999
W6 diesel: R281 999
W8 petrol: R316 999
W8 diesel: R336 999
Verdict
Performance 1-10 (5)
Fuel 1-10 (4)
Image (The XUV300 regarded as the ‘safest car’ in Africa).
